The WMATA 5000 Series cars were built by CAF, marking the company's first railcar contract in the United States. The CAFs entered service in 2001, and delivery of all 192 cars was completed in mid-2004. The CAF cars were the first to feature the updated Potomac Blue, Colonial Burgundy, and Chesapeake Sand interior colors, and were also the first to feature LED exterior destination signage, interior LED displays to indicate the next stop, and an on board computer to monitor train diagnostics. The 5000 Series cars have been plagued by various maintenance issues to the point that WMATA has opted to retire them rather than rehab them. An option order of 7000 Series cars was exercised in order to facilitate their early retirement.